South Lake Tahoe SWAT operation leads to arrest of local man

Submitted by paula on Fri, 06/05/2020 - 9:41pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Several people in the Bijou neighborhood saw and heard something on Thursday they normally aren't a witness to. The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) SWAT and Crisis Negotiation teams were called out to an apartment on Spruce Avenue to arrest a suspect with a known violent history and a history with weapons, according to police.

They were there to arrest 45-year-old Edgar Bringas Zavala, a suspect in a domestic violence and terrorist threat case from the night before.

On June 3, SLTPD responded and contacted the 26-year-old female victim who they say had several injuries including a cut to her leg. The victim told police that Bringas Zavala, her boyfriend, had battered her numerous times over the previous five days, including cutting her with a pair of scissors, holding a kitchen knife to her throat and choking her.

The SLTPD Domestic Violence Response Team detective located the suspect and a no-bail warrant was obtained. Bringas Zavala was located at his residence, 3400 block of Spruce Avenue.

The nearby Bijou Community School lunch program and a daycare center were both put on lockdown prior to officers approaching Bringas Zavala’s residence. Once the SWAT and crisis teams were in place, SLTPD used a loudspeaker to tell the suspect to come out with his hands in the air. They were able to contact Bringas Zavala and negotiate with him to safely come out of his residence and surrender to officers.

He was arrested and booked on Felony Corporal Injury to a Spouse or Partner and Violation of Probation. Bringas Zavala is currently held in the El Dorado County Jail on a no-bail hold.

According to Interim Police Chief Shannon Laney, Bringas Zavala has had numerous run-ins with law enforcement dating back to 2003 including weapon violations, domestic violence and resisting arrest. Bringas Zavala is currently on parole for burglary.

This is an active investigation and no other information is available at this time. Anyone who might have information regarding this case is encouraged to call SLTPD Detective Barry Rider (530) 542-6100.